Electrical controlling apparatus



Patented Sept. 12, 1944 ELECTRICAL CONTROLLIG APl'AIATUS Charles W. Wyman, Claremont, N. H., assignor to Sullivan Machine of Massachusetts ry Company, a corporation lApplication July 11, 1942, Serial No. 450,523

- iClaims. (Cl. 175-294) i Myinvention relate s to control'means for electrical circuits, and more particularly to means for controlling the connection of an inductive circuit to a power line.

When a clrcuit is opened, cutting off the flow of current from a power line to an electrical system having an inductance of high value, a voltage surge is created in the system as the flow of current'therein decreases. If no means are provided `for dissipating the energy stored in the inductive cir'cuits, the voltage surge may. cause a breaking down of the insulation and injury to electrical aDparatuscOnnected in the system.

In 'order -to prevent, the voltage surge from building up to an unsafe value and to dissipate the energy stored in the inductive circuits, it is Vcustomary to connect a. current conducting means in. multiple with the inductive portion of the circuits. It is desirable that the current conductirzg means offer a very high resistance to the flow current from the power line so as to avoid wasting of energy, and that'l it offer a path of low resistance to current resulting from the surge voltage in'the inductive circuits in order to keep the voltage `low and to dissipate the energy quickly. i

An electrical` system in which some protective means isusually desirable is one containing a direct current machine, particularly a machine of the shunt type having a field winding possessing high inductance. The dissipation of the energy stored in the eld winding may be most advantageously eifected by connecting a discharge tube across the winding, the tube being designed to break down under a voltage somewhat greater than the line voltage and provide 'a path of very low resistance across the field. Since the tube does not break down at line voltage, thecircuit across the Vfield during operation of the machine is open andino energy .is wasted by the connection of this circuit in the system. When the supply of .current to the machine is some means be provided for preventing the connection of the system to the power line while energy is being dissipated from the inductive circuit through the tube. By connecting an electrically actuated device in series with the discharge tube, as contemplated in my invention, and causing this device to, lock in position a switch controlling the connection of the electrical system to thepower line, it will be seen that current will be supplied to this device only when the tube is broken down by the surge voltage, and since this occurs only at the opening of the line switch. the latter may be locked in its open position until the energy in the inductive circuit is dissipated. It will be obvious that other means for preventing controller actuation could be employed instead of a lock, for example, a magnetically Controlled disconnecting device between the controller and its Operating mechanism.

The main object of my invention is to provide improved means for controlling the connection of an electrical system to a power line. Another object is to provide improved means for preventing the connection of an inductive circuit to a power line lmmediately after the circuit has been disconnected from the line. Still another object is to provide, in an electrical system containing high inductance, improved means for looking a switch controlling the connection of the system to a power line in its open position, imniediately after the switch has been moved from its closed to its open position, until energy stored in' the system has become dissipated. An-

cut off, the surge voltage builds up to the point at which the 'tube breaks down and short-circuitsthe field, preventing a further building up of the surge voltage. sipated through the short circuit which is maintained after the vtube once breaks down until the voltage drops to a value much below line voltage. If the electrical system were connected to the powerline again while the tube is broken down, by the surge voltage, the power line would be short-circuited through the tube, Vcausing the tube or some part of the system to be burned out. It is, therefore, desirable that The energy is rapidly disother object is to provide improved means actuated by the energy in an inductive circuit, when the circult is disconnected from a power line, for preventing the connection of the Circuit to the power line again until the energy has become dissipated. Still another object is to provide with an inductive circuit having a discharge tube connected across it, improved means actuated by the energy in the circuit when the latter is disconnected from a power line for preventing the connection of the circuit to the power line while the energy is being dissipated through the tube.v These and other objects will appear more `fully in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing there is shown for purposes of llustration one form which my invention may assume in practice. In this drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, with parts broken away, of a machine having a reverse switch With which my improved control means is adapted for use.

` Fig. 2 is an enlarged Vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram showing the connection of my control means in the electrical system for controlling the operation of the reverse switch illustrated.

In the illustrative embodiment of my invention I have shown a machine, generally designated il, having a frame 2 supporting a motorg of the compound type, and control means, generally designated 4, therefor.

The control means comprises, as shown in- Fi'g. 3, a reverse switch, generally designated 6, having an element which is rotatable in opposite directions from a neutral position ,for connecting the motor in oppositefdirectionsto a power line. Associated with the switch is a controller,

generally designated 8, having an-element which rotates with the rotatable switch "element 'for varying the amount of resistancein--certaimof the motor circuits, thereby controlling the speed of the motor.: The rotatab'le elements* of the switch and the controller are fixe'dto a shaft Illy extending longitudinally of the' machine frame" 2, as shown in Figs. 1 and'2.- The vshaft |0 is journaled at one end in a bracketll fixed'to the machine frame, as by bolts |2, and is rotatably supported at its other 'end by any'suitable means, not shown. Keyed to the shaft |0 is va"g'ear |4, and meshing with 'the'gear |4 is a 'pinion |6 fixed to a shaft |1jwhich is journaled in the o bracket and the machine frame 2.V t'tached to the outer end of the shaft |1 is a manual con-i" switch contact element 24 is connected by a conductor 44 to one end of a series field Winding lfor the motor, and the other end of the winding 45 is connected by a conductor 46 to the contact element 29 of the controller. The switch contacts 20', 2|' and 23' are connected by 'a conductor 48, and the contacts 22' and 24' are connected by a conductor 49. The contacts 20", 2|

and'the controller contact elements 25 and 3| ,are engaged simultaneously by their respective cooperating single-primed contacts. A current =then flows from the line L1 through the contabt 20, 20' to the conductor 48 where it divides, part passing' through the contacts 2|', 2|, the conductor 36, the shunt field winding 31, the conductor 38, the contacts 25, 25', the conductor 33, and the contacts 3|', 3| to the line L2, and part flowing through contacts 23', 23, conductor 4|, the motor armature 42, conductor 40, contacts 22, 22', conductor 49, contacts 24', 24, conductor 44, series'field winding 45, conductor 46, resistance 30, contacts 25, 25', conductor 33, and contacts 3|','3l to the line L2. The motor will then be caused to operate and may be speeded up by rotating the shaft |0 to bring the contacts 26', 21', 28' and 29' successively into engagement vvith the contact elements 26, 21, 28 and 29.

vIf the reverse switch and controller elements are rotated in the opposite direction from their neutral positions, the left hand set of contacts, I those bearing double primed members, of Fig. 3

moved, on rotation vof the rotatable element of the reverse switch in one'` direction'or the .other f from its neutral position, eitherthe' set of contacts 20', 2|', 22', 23'I and24', or the set'of controller 8 includes stationary contact elements 25,

into contact with them, on rotation'of the rotatable controller element in 'one' direction or the other from its neutral position, consecutively, the i contacts 25', 26', 21', 28' and 29' or thecontacts 25", 26", 21", 28" and 29"; Another stationary contact element 3| is adapted to be engaged by a contact 3|' or by a contact 3|" when the 'contact elements 25' or 25" of the controller'engage contact 25. The controller contacts bearing primed and double prmed numbers are connected respectively by conductors 33 and 34, so that the resistance 30 is shunted, in steps as the controller element is rotated and the contact element 29 is connected to the contact 3| through .a path of decreasing resistance. 4

A power line has one of its lines L1 connected to the contact element 20 and the other of its lines L2 connected to the contact ;element 3|. The switch contact element 2| is connected by a conductor 36 to one, end of a shuntfield 'winding 31 of the motor, and the other end of the winding 31 is connected by a conductor 38 to the contact element 25 of the controller element. The switch contact elements 22 and 23 are connected respectively by conductors-40 and 4| to opposite sides of the motor armature '42. The

' contact elements.

'rection, though it also passes in the same direction through the series field 45, and the'motor is caused to run in the opposite direction.

'Whenever the reverse switch and controller elements are rotated from' either one of their closed positions to an open position, a surge` voltage is produced in the shunt field winding 31,

i varying directly with the inductanoe therein.

The inductance of the shunt coil in an electric motor may be such as to produce a surge voltage sufficient to vbreak down its insulation if no means are provided for dissipating the energy a the lines, the protective device will be effective.

Obviously with a device always to be connected in one way to the power lines, a different tube could ybe.used. In structure, the tube as shown may consist of an evacuated, gas filled bulb with similar,` spaced carbon electrodes. After the discharge tube has been broken down by the surge voltage it remains broken down until the surge voltage drops to a value far below, that at which the tube broke down, and if the switch could be closed in either direotion while the tube was broken down the power line would be shortcircuited through the tube 55 and parts of the system would be destroyed because the line voltage would push too much current through it.

Underv ordinary conditions the line switch 8 would probably never be deliberately closed before the surge voltage had dropped to a value at which the discharge tube ceased to be broken down, but, to insure that such closing of the switch will not take place, suitable means to prevent controller movement while the tu-be is broken down is provided according to my invention, and I herein illustrate as an appropriate arrangement an electrically actuated switchlooking device, generally designated 51, connected in the circuit with the discharge tube 55.

The looking device 51, as shown, comprises a casing 58 oontaining a central core 59 extending.

through an opening in one end of the casing and threaded at 6| into an opening in the braoket il for holding the device in a stationary position relative to the machine frame 2. Extending longitudinally' through the core 59 is a plunger 52 adapted to be received at one of its ends in a recess 63 in the gear H when the switch 6 is moved to its open position. The other end of the plunger extends through an opening in an iron or steel plate 55 and is fixed to the latter as by a nut 66. Guide members 68 are fixed to the casing 58 in any suitable manner for guiding the plate 65 for movement axially of the core 59. Received within a recess 10 in the core 59 is a coil spring 1| surrounding the plunger 62 and acting between the inner face of the plate 85 and the bottom'of the recess 10 for holding normally the plunger 62 in its retracted position out of engagement with the gear |4. -Surrounding the core 59 is a coil 13 connected in the circuit with the discharge tube 55 across the shunt winding 31 as shown in Fig. 3. When a current flows through the coil 13, a magnetic field is established for pulling the plate 65 toward the coil against the force of the spring 1 I.

It will be seen that a current will fio'w through the coil 13 only when the discharge tube 55 breaks down under the surge voltage produced in the winding 31 on the opening of the line switch 6. .At this time the recess 63 in the gear ll is located opposite the inner end of the plunger 62, and the magnetic force produced by the current iiowing through the coil causes the plunger to be forced into the recess 63 and effect a looking of the switch B in its open position until the disoharge tube ceases to be broken down by the surge voltage. When the flow of current through the coil 13 is cut off, the plunger 52 is moved to its rtraoted position by the spring 1|, thereby releasing the gear `ll for rotation in either direction to effect a closing of the line switch.

As a result of this invention there is provided improved means for controlling the closing of a circuit to supply current to an inductive circuit. It will be noted that the control means provided is constructed of simple and rugged units. The coil of the looking device will be designed to hold the looking plunger in its looking position until the surge voltage produced drops to a value at which the discharge tube is restored to its normal condition.

While I have in this application specifioally desoribed one' form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form is shown for purposes of illustratlon and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, an electrical system lncluding an inductance, a source of electrical energy, means for controlling the supply of energy from said source to said electrical system and movable to a position for interrupting the supply of energy to said system, circuit means shunting said inductance and offering a high resistance at the voltage of said source of energy and a substantially lowresistance at surge voltages induced in said inductance, said circuit means including a device operative on thev fiow of current therethrough produced by surge voltages in said inductance for looking said controlling means in its energy-interrupting position.

2. In combination, an electrical system including an inductance, a source of electrical energy, means for controlling the supply of energy from said source to said electrical system and movable to a position for interrupting the supply'of energy to said system, circuit means shunting said inductance and including a discharge -tube operative at a voltage exceeding the voltage at said source of energy for providing a path of low vresistance across said inductance, said circuit means also including a device operative on the flow of current tlierethrough for looking said controlling means in its energy-interrupting position.

3. In combination, an electrical system including an inductance, a source of electrical energy, means for controlling the supply of energy from said source to said electrical system and movable to a position for interrupting the supply of energy to said system, means operable when said controlling means is in its energy-interrupting position for looking the latter in such position, circuit means shunting said 'inductance and inoluding a disoharge tube operative at a voltage exceeding the voltage at said source of energy for providing a path of low resistance across said inductance, said circuit means also including an electromagnet connected in series with said discharge tube and operative on the flow of current therethrough for aotuating said 'looking means.

4. In combination, an electrical system including an inductance, a power line for supplying electrical energy to said electrical system, a switch for controlling the connection of said power line to said electrical system, means operable when said switch is in its open position for looking the latter in such position, circuit means shunting said inductance and including a device operative at a voltage exceeding the voltage across said power line for providing a path of low resistance across said inductance, said circuit means also including electrically operated means forming part of said looking means and operative on the ilow of current therethrough for looking said switch in its open position.

5. In combination, an electrical system including an inductance, a source of electrical energy, means for controlling the supply of energy from said source to said electrical system and movable to a position for interrupting the supply of energy to said system, circuit means shunting said inductance and offering a high resistance at the voltage of said source of energy and a subduced in said inductance, said ;circuit means in-p cludinga 'device' operative: on the fiow fof' cur-y stantially lowV resistance at surge ;voltages inz-ferln'g 'a high. resistance at voltages produced lwhen -energyzzlsgsupplied to'said system and a rent therethrough producedby surgevoltages in .v

low resistance "at higher voltages, and means for 'looking said switchiagainst movement while current producedby the' higher'v voltages flows through saidcircinsaid las't-` mentionedmeans motor. having a shunt operative at a voltage exceeding the Vvoltagez across said power line for provlding a path of low resistance across said inductance, and means including an' element. responsive only` to the cur- Arentithrough a'i'd ciircuitiproduced by the higher voltagesJz 8. :In combination, an'electrical system includ- 'ingan indu'ctancaa sourceA of electrical energy,

f 'a -switchfr controlling *the supply of electrical including an Operating coil in -said 'circuit means i and operative irrespe'ctive of the'prevlou's direc-- tion of motor. rotation Afor' preventin'g operation Sing thati'prodnced'fiwhen |energy is= supplied to isaid fsstemf` 'for' providingfa' patli of flowresistof said'reverse switchito efiect restarting' of said motor during substantial current 'flow Vthrough said circuit-means.*

'1. In combination, an'electrlcal system vincluding an inductancef'a'source ofelectrical en-' ergy, a'switch for'controlling the supply of electrical -energy fromsaid source'to said system,

- `clrcuii'.=means shunting saidinductance and of- .energy from saids'ource 'to said system, circuit `means .shuntng said` induct'ance and including a'rdischarge .tubeioperative vat a voltage exceedanceifacrosssaid inductance; and means for lockr'. ing said switch against -movement vwhile current 20' tioned 'means iincluding electrically operated flows through'sa'idi dlscharge' tube, saidlast men' means connected. in said 'shunt c'ircuit.

WXWYMAN. 

